Tevel has an innovative and proven model for integrating international Jewish volunteers in long-term, top-quality development work in impoverished communities in the developing world.

Long-term strategic intervention

There are no “quick fixes” in the developing world- real change takes time. Tevel’s intervention program lasts 4-5 years during which time we have local staff in the village full time. The staff trains local leadership that takes over the projects after the intervention period with continued support from the Tevel headquarters. Read about how this model transformed a community here.

Led by local staff, enhanced by international volunteers

Projects need continuity to be effective. Tevel’s projects are led by our outstanding local staff who are placed in the communities long-term and establish strong relationships with community members. Their efforts are supported by the passion and skills of young international volunteers in Tevel’s service-learning frameworks.

Building community

It isn’t enough to bring “things” (infrastructure, technology) to a community- you have to have the community mechanisms to manage the resources. Tevel works on building community governance and activism structures that include all members of the community including marginalized ethnic groups, women and youth. We also train local leadership to take over the projects after we complete the direct intervention.

No outsourcing volunteers

Our volunteers work in our in-house development projects where they can feel part of and contribute to our long-term goals and where we can ensure that they have a meaningful volunteering experience.

Agriculture-based community development

We help villagers address their most urgent problem- food production, through agriculture programs. In parallel we work on other critical community needs such as: education, women’s empowerment, youth leadership, media and public health.

Fighting poverty at its roots- in rural villages

Rural villagers can’t produce enough food so they are forced to migrate to city slums losing their community support mechanisms and becoming vulnerable to exploitation and social ills. By strengthening villages we are fighting poverty at its roots.

Villages before Tevel

Villages were only able to grow food for 4-8 months a year and went hungry during other months

Children were stunted due to malnutrition

Farmers used chemical pesticides and fertilizers that degraded the soil and poisoned the environment

Villagers were often forced to migrate to find money for basic food, and were exploited outside their communities

Most women were illiterate and afraid to assert themselves, while shouldering a heavy load of responsibility for their family

Youth dreamed of a better life and a more just society, but lacked awareness of how to achieve those dreams

Teachers lacked training and taught by rote and repetition. The result: a high percentage of dropouts in grade school as well as high school

The community was unable to access resources they deserve from local and national governments